My latest mixed media painting is the third I’ve made in response to San Diego’s 2020 red tide event that lit up our beaches. There were a few moments enjoyed during multiple visits to appreciate this phenomenon late at night when few others were around when I thought, yeah, I have to make a painting inspired by that. Dolphins, sea birds and California sea lions making big splashes in the water resulted in the bioluminescent glow emitted by Lingulodinium polyedra, a dinoflagellate species. In this dreamscape rooted in reality, I’ve shown the light pollution trapped by the marine layer in contrast to the subdued glow of nature. It’s dark over Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve to the right of the composition and the open ocean to the far left due to humanity’s more limited physical presence in these places.
Dolphins with Bioluminescence and Anthropogenic Starlight. 2020. Transparent watercolor and powdered soft pastel on 300lb hot press paper. 14" x 20" (36 x 51cm).